Combined latch and dovetail structure



Jan. 16, 1940. Re.` w. .BUTLER 2,187,530

I CQIBINED LATCH AND DOVETAI.: STRUCTURE Filed July 5, 1935 3 Sh4B8tSSheet l $913 a f l 12;

R. w. BUTLER COIBINED LATCH` AND DOVETAIL STRUCTURE Filed July 5, 1935 3 Shoots-Shut 2 .wwf

14' rar 2 l W 'r @n INVENTOR.

A TTORNE Y.

Jan. 16, 1940. R. w. BUTLER- 2,187,530

GOIBINED LATCH AND DOVETAIL STRUCTURE Filed July 5, 1935 /lggla 3 Sheets-Shut 3 @for I l f I @if M INVENTOR.

Patented Jan. 16, 1940 COMBINED LATCH AND DOVETAIL STRUCTURE Robert W. Butler, Philadelphia, Pa., assignor, by

mesne assignments, to United Specialties Company, Detroit, Mich., a corporation of Dela- Application July 5, 193,5, Serial No. 29,785

18 Claims. (Cl. 292-340) The improvement has been designed particularly for use with automobile doors. 'lhe common practice heretofore has been to provide the door with a spring-pressed, retractable latch bolt I for cooperation with a latch keeper mounted on the door frame, yand to provide'separate dovetail elements, mounted independently of the latch members on the door and door frame respectively, for properly aliningthe door when it is l0.-`,moved into completely closed position and for preventing undesirable noise or rattling by reason ci the vibration oi the door with respect to the frame when the door is in its closed position.

In accordance with the present improvements,

u one of the dovetail elements is combined with one of the latch elements and the combined structure is preferably secured to the door frame, while the other dovetail element is associated with the other latch element and carried by the free vertical edge of the door. As herein disclosed, the preferable arrangement of the various elements of the device is one-in which the recess member of the dovetail is associated with the latch bolt -on the edge o1' the door, and the wedge member of the dovetail is combined as a structural part of the latch keeper mounted on the door frame.

'Ihe invention has for one oi its objects the provision of a combined latch and dovetail dea vice which is so constructed as to properly position the door during the ilnal closing movement thereoi' and to rigidly retain the door in its closed position. Another object of the invention is the provision, in a combined device of this character, 3l of a structure which will properly support the door when in closed position and prevent undesirable vibration thereof with respect to the door frame. A further object of the invention is, the provision of a combined latch element and dove- 40 tail element wherein the bearing members of the dovetail element are movable with respect to each other into proper make-up position with respect to.the bearing members ofthe other dovetail element, at the same timeformng a rigid sup- 45 port for the door when in its closed position.

A still further object ofthe invention is the provision of a combined latch keeper and dovetail element wherein the dovetail bearing members are directly supported on the latch keeper to form 50 the wedge element of the dovetail structure, the

bearing members being movable relatively to cach other and to the latch keeper into make-up position with respect to the recess element of the dovetail structure. The invention has for a 55 still further object a simpliilcation of latch and wedge element, the cooperating dovetail recess dovetail structures, and a reduction of the cost of manufacture thereof as well as a reduction of the cost oi' installation of the same upon an automobile.

Other objects and advantages of the invens tion will be apparent from the following description, taken with the accompanyingdrawings wherein:

Fig. 1 is a rear elevational view of one form of combined latch keeper and dovetail wedge element, and a front elevational view of the dovetail recess element and associated latch bolt employed with each of the dierent forms of the invention;

Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view of the device u shown in Fig. .1, with the parts in the position which they occupy when the door is completely closed;

Fig. 3 is a horizontal sectional view through the device shown in Fig. 1, with the parts in the n position which they occupy when the door is completely closed;

Fig. 4 is a vertical sectional view through the device, taken on the line 4 4 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a front perspective view of the comu bined latch keeper and dovetail wedge element shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of one of the movable bearing members of the dovetail wedge element shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 7 is a front elevational view of another form of combined latch keeper and dovetail wedge element, the cooperating dovetail recess element and latch bolt being shown in section and out of cooperative position with respect thereto;

Fig. 8 is a vertical sectional view, partly in elevation, showing the position occupied by the parts of the device of Fig. 7 when the door is in fully closed position;

Fig. 9 is a rear perspective` view of the com- 40 bined latch keeper and dovetail wedge element shown in Fig. 7, without the movable bearing blocks;

Fig. 10 is a perspective view of one of the movable bearing blocks of the dovetail wedge 4 element shown in Fig. 7;

Fig. 11 is a front elevational view of another form of combined latch keeper and dovetail 0 element and latch bolt being shown in section and cuiJ of cooperative position with respect thereto;

Fig. l2 is a vertical sectionalview, partly in elevation, showing the position occupied by the 55 r comprises an elongated base plate I3 having a parts of the device of Fig. 11 when the door is in -fully closed position;l

Fig. 13 isa perspective view of the bearing member of the dovetail wedge element shown in Fig. l1, also the resilient means for resisting movement of the bearing member;

Fig. 14 is a front elevational view of another form of combined latch keeper and dovetail wedge element, the cooperating dovetail recess 'element and latch bolt being shown in section and out of cooperative position with respect thereto;

Fig. 15 is a vertical sectional View, partly in elevation, showing the position occupied by the/ position. Preferably the dovetail recess element Iutilized with the various forms of the invention pair of spaced bearing members I4 formed vthereon. The base plate I3 is secured to the edge ofthe door I2 by means of screws I5 extending through alined openings in the base plate and ythe edge of the door and threaded into a retainer plate I6 on the inside of the edge of the door. I

The latch bolt I 0 is supported on' the door I2 in a position to proiect outwardly through the edge of the door near the inner face thereof as "shown in Fig 3, and the dovetail recess member is positioned on the edge of ythe door alongside 'the latch bolt' I0, between the same and the outer face of the door, with the bearing members I4 equally spaced above and below the bolt. The opposing surfaces I1 of the bearing members I4 are preferably fiat and are so formed as to diverge from each' other /inthe direction of the latch bplt I0 when theparts areA in position on the-door. I Th'various forms of the invention disclosed herein utilize combined latch keeper and dovetail wedge structures that are similar in that they include a base plate I8 'having one face thereof serrated or otherwise constructed as shown at I9 so as to permit adjustment on the door frame 20, and having the opposite face provided with a plurality of tapered keeper members 2l to form a main catch element 22 with which the latch bolt .I0 engages to retain the ,door in fully closed position, and an auxiliary catch element 23 with which the latch bolt enk gages to retain the door in partly closed position. The various forms of combined latch keeper and dovetail wedge element also include lateral /extensions 24 arranged on the opposite edges of the base plate I8 and the latch keepers 2|. The lateral extensions 24 constitute supports for bearing means of varying form which cooperate with the'bearing members I4 of the dovetail recess member, as Vhereinafter described in detail.

The diierent forms of combined latch keeper and dovetail wedge element shown in the drawings are adjustably secured t'o' the door frame 2U having suitable handles mountefiior'if-sf the door for retractingthe same from latching by means of screws 2'5 extending through openingS ,n each oiA the keeper members 2|. The

heads of the screws 25 are preferably counter.A sunk inl the tapered faces of the keeper members 2| and the threaded portions thereof engage with threaded openings in a retainer plate 2B on the inside of the door frame, as clearly shown in Fig. 3. By serrating the inner face of the base plate I 8 and forming corresponding serrations on the door frame 20-and the retainer plate 26, andv by providing enlarged openings in the d oor frame for the screws 25, it will be apparent that the combined latch keeper and dovetail wedge element may be readily adjusted with respect to the door frame in order that it may be properly positioned with respect to the latch bolt I0 and the recess element of the dovetail structure.`

In the improved form of combined latch keeper and dovetail wedge element shown in Figs. 1 to 6 of the drawings, each of thel lateral extension 24 is provided with a recess 21 having an irregular bottom wall 28, a front wall 29 and an outer wall 30. Mounted in each recess 21 is a movable bearing member 3l having a cylindrical support32 integrally formed on one end thereof iourseating within .'a bearing opening 33 in the bodyff'theglltensions 24. The free ends of the bearing' member's3l`, are movable toward and away from each other,` movement away frgmach' other being limited bythe engagement of an outwardlyturned ilange 34 on the bearing member with the'inturned edge 35 oi the Wall 29. Move-A Y ment of the free ends of the bearing members 3| toward eachother is resisted by means of a pair of coiled springs 36 having one end in ena` gagement with the bearing member 3| and the other end in engagement with the wallf 28. A

* cylindricalblock of compressible felt 31 or other material having lubricant incorporated therein may be encased within each of the coiled springs 3G-ii desired.

' will be noted from Fig. 1 of the drawings,

there is no inner wall for the recess 21 inasmuch as that side of the recess is closed by. the door frame 20 when the combined latch keeper and dovetail Wedge elementare assembled thereon. The bearing opening 33 is slightly more than senil-circular in cross-section, and the cylindrical support 32 is inserted endwise into the opening from `the inner face of the combined latch keeper and dovetail wedge member before the latter is assembled on the door frame.

1 inassembling the parts of the structure shown in Figs. 1 to 6 of the drawings on an automobile, `the dovetail recess element is secured to the edge of the door in the manner heretofore described. The position of the latch bolt I0 being fixed, as a rule, with respect to the edge of the door, this position determines the location oi the dovetail recess element and no adjustment of the recess element is required when its relative position with respect to the latch both has once been determined. The combined latch keeper and wedge element is located on the door frame In such a position vertically of the frame as to retain the door in proper alinement with the frame, and is secured in such adjusted position transversely of the frame as tor enable the latch bolt sembly of the latch elements and the dovetail elements is the adjustment of the combined latch keeper and dovetail wedge element with respect to the door frame.

When the device illustrated in Figs. 1 to 6 is in use with a door which is properly alined with respect to the door frame the two bearing members I4 engage substantially simultaneously with the bearing members 3| to'rock these bearing members on their supports 3| as the door. is moved into fully closed position, the advancing ends of the bearing members |4` engaging with the bearing members 3| to rock the free ends of the latter toward each other against the resistance of coiled springs 36. When the door is fully closed, as shown in Fig. 4, it is rigidly held against vertical movement by reason of the engagement of bearing members I4 with bearing members 3| and by reason of the rigid manner in which bearing members 3| are supported for rocking movement. In case the door is slightly out of alinement with the door frame, either on account of improper hanging or on account of sagging after continued use, one or the other of bearing members I4 will first engage with its cooperating bearing member 3| to rock the latter about its support 32 until the resistance to further movement of member 3| is sufficient to aline the door and thereby bring the other bearing member I4 into engagement with its cooperating bearing membery 3|, whereupon the movement of the door into its closing position continues until the latch bolt ID is in position to engage with the main catch element 22. When the latch bolt III is retracted to permit the door to be opened the tendency of` coiled springs 36 to expand acts upon the free ends of bearing members 3| and assists materially in moving the door from its fully closed position by reason of the cooperation of the bearing surfaces on members 3| with the inclined bearing surfaces I'I.

Inv the modification of the combined latch keeper and dovetail wedge element shown in Figs. 7 to 10 of the drawings, each of the lateral extensions 24 is provided with a recess 38 having an outer wall 39 and a bottom wall 40 which forms a bearing surface for a slidable bearing block 4I. The inner wall of the recess 38 is formed by the door frame when the combined keeper and wedge is assembled thereon. outer face of iach block 4| extends beyond tlie free edge of the wall 39 and forms an inclined bearing surface 42 for cooperation with the bearing surface I'I of one of the bearing members I4 of the dovetail recess element.

Supported on the wall 39 are two spaced guide lugs 43 and 44, the former extending into an elongated guide slot 45 in the inner end of the bearing block 4| and the latter extending into a short guide slot 46 in the outer end of the bearing block 4|. A coiled spring 41 in the guide slot 45 and having one end in engagement with the end of the slot and the opposite end in engagement with the guide lug 43 serves to resist movement of the bearing block 4| in a direction to oppose closing movement of the door.

As shown in the drawings, it is preferable to form the walls or bearing surfaces 40, upon which theinner faces of the bearing blocks 4| are supported, so that these surfaces converge toward the horizontal center line of the latch keeper in order that the bearing blocks may have a slight movement of approach toward each other as the door moves into its nal closed position. This arrangement of the bearing surfaces 40 jam against the bearing surfaces during the make-up of the dovetail elements.

When the form of the invention illustrated in Figs. 7 to l0of the drawings is in use, the bearing surfaces II of the two bearing members I4 engage with the bearing surfaces 42 of the slidable bearing blocks 4| substantially simultaneously when the door is moved into its closed position if the door is in proper alinement with the door frame. In case the door is slightly out o1' alinement, one of the bearing members I4 will first contact with one of the slidable bearing blocks 4| and this bearing block will be forced inwardly with respect to the other block 4| until the resistance to its further movement is sumcient to bring the door into proper alinement, with both bearing surfaces Il in contact with their cooperating surfaces 42, whereupon the two bearing blocks 4| move inwardly with the recess element, as a unit, until the door is in position for the latch bolt I to engage with the main catch element 22 to retain the door in its closed position` In the modified form of the combined latch keeper and dovetail wedge member shown in Figs. 11to 13 of the drawings, one of the lateral extensions 24, preferably the upper one, is provided with xed bearing means in the form of an inclined bearing surface 48 on the free end of the extension for cooperation with the bearing /eliminates any tendency of the bearing blocks to surface I1 of the upper bearing member I4 of the dovetail recess element. The lower extension 24 is provided with inclined bearing means 49 which is movable with respect to the fixed bearing surface 48. The movable bearing means 49 is preferably formed from a strip of rigid metal having its intermediate portion projecting outwardly of a recess 5I) in the lower extension 24 and having its opposite ends bent to extend into the recess. The extreme end portions of the strip are bent angularly as at 5I for engagement behind inturned lips 52 on the end Walls of the recess to limit the movement of the bearing member 49 away from the bearing means 48 under the influence of a block of rubber or other resilient means 53 seated in the recess 50.

While this form of combined latch keeper and dovetail wedge element is somewhat simpler in construction than the forms heretofore described, the wedge member thus formed is suiliciently resilient to permit the door to move into its fully closed position without danger of the bearing members I4 of the recess element jamming against the bearing means on the wedge element. As will be noted from Fig, l2 of the drawings, the structure of the movable bearing member 49 and the manner in which it is supported in the recess 50 are such as to provide a rocking movement for this bearing member, as well as bodily movement thereof toward the rigid bearing surface 48, as the door moves'into fully closed position. In other Words, if the advancing end of the lower bearing member I4 rst contacts with the outer end of the inclined surface of. the movable bearing member 49, that portion of the rubber block immediately beneath the point of contact will first be compressed andthe bearing member 49 will partake of a rocking movement as the lower bearing member I4 of the recess :element moves inwardly with the closing -movement of the door. Incase the door is out of alliiement by reason of sagging after continuedfuse. the fixed bearing means 48, cooperating withgtie upper bearing member I4. serves to lift the door into its proper position with respect; to theframe and with the lower bearing member Il in engagement with the movable bearing member 49, and to retain it rigidly in such position and to prevent it from vibrating against the frame when it is closed.

While a single movable bearing member has been shown with the modified form of combined lodatch keeper and dovetail wedge member illustrated in Figs. 11 to 13, it will be understood that the upper extension 2l may also be provided with -a movable bearing member similar to the one.

shown in connection with the lower extension. In either case, it is desirable that the resilient block of rubber or other material be suiiiciently resistant to compression to support the door against noise-producing vibrations when in its closedv position.

In the modification of the invention illustrated `in Figs. 14 to 17 o! the drawings, fixed bearing means is provided on the upper extension 24 in the form of an inclined bearing surface I on the free end of the extension for cooperation with the bearing surface I1 on the upper bearing member Ilon the dovetail recess element. The lower extension Ais formed-with a recess 55 having 'an outer wall 58 from which two guide lugs 51 and 5l extend for supporting and guiding a bearing bloclrv 59 constructed for lboth sliding and rocking movement upon thefbearingl surface Vformedby the bottom wall 60 of the recess. The

doorframe forms thef'inner wall of the recess .55 whenthe combined keeper 'and wedge element is mounted thereon. One edgeof the block 59 projects out of the recess A55 and lis provided with a flatA kbearing surfaces!v for cooperation with the bearing surface l1 on the lower bearing member il of the-'recess element. The inner edge of the, block 59 is preferably curved throughout its a length, as shown at ez, to facilitate the rocking in contact with an end wall of the openingl 63,

and serves toA resist movement of the block in the direction of closing movement of the door. A V- shaped notch G5 in the outer end of the block serves to guide this end of .the block in -its rocking movement and to retain the block in position in the recess 55' when the vdoor is open'an'd the lower bearing member VHl is out of engagement therewith.

As will be noted from Fig. 14 of the drawings,

the bearing surface 6I of the bearing block 59 isv in such a position when the lower bearing member I4 of the. dovetail recess element is out of engagement therewith that the two cooperatingl bearing surfaces i1 and 6| converge in the direction of closing movement of the door. With this arrangement of thel bearing surfaces,. the engagement of the advancing end of fthe lower bearing member I4 with the bearing block 59 as the door moves into closed position operates both to rock the bearing block upon the bearing surface 60 and slide it'thereon in the direction of closing movement of the door. The rocking movement of the bearing block. therefore permits a certain degree of make-up between the movable bearing block 59 and the lower bearing member I4 of the recess member, and when the parts are in the made-up position the bearing block 59 is free `to slide on the bearing surface 60 until the door is fully closed, as shown by the position of the parts in Fig. 15. When the latch bolt l0 is released for the purpose of opening the door, the movable bearing block 59 is urged in the direction of door opening movement by means of the coiled spring 64, and the upper edge of the V-shaped notch 65 serves to guide the outer end of the block inwardly toward the bearing surface 60, into the position shown in Fig. 14. I

Although but one movable bearing member has been illustrated with the form of the invention shown in Figs. 14 to 17 of the drawings, it will be understood that a movable bearing member similar to the one described in connection with the lower extension 24 may be utilized in place of the xed bearing means formed by the bearing surface 54, if desired.

The parts of the various modified forms of the invention are assembled on an automobile in the mannerl heretofore described with respect tothe device shown in Figs. 1 to 6. With combined dovetail and latch Astructures such as disclosed herein,.it will be apparent that the position of the latch bolt on the door determines the location of the dovetail recess element thereon, and that the only adjustment of parts that lis required is the adjustment of the unitary latch keeper and dovetail wedge on the door frame in order that this combined structure may cooperate properly with the latchbolt and dovetail recess element on the edge of the door.

While specificl forms and arrangements of the various parts of the improved structure have been disclosed, it is to be understood that the disclosure is illustrative only and that changes'in form and arrangement of the elements may be made without departing from the invention, the scope of whichfis to be determined by the appended claims.

What is desired to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A dovetail for preventing rattling between `a. door and a door post comprising, in combination, a recess member formed to .define a pair of opposing rearwardly converging walls, a.v wedge havingk rearwardly converging sides, a pair of blocks slidably supported on said sides of said wedge and disposed to cooperate with said walls, and means comprising abutments formed on said wedge and slots formed in said blocks for retaining said blocks upon said wedge.

2. A door dovetail comprising, in combination, a recess member formedto denne a pair of spaced rearwardly converging walls, a wedge adapted to be received between said walls and having oppositely converging sides, and a block slidably received between' each said side and the adjacent Wall, each block being movably uattached to said wedge and having its sides taperedv to correlspend generally to the taper yof the associated `side and wall.

3. A door-dovetail comprising, in combination,

a recess member formed to define a .pair of spaced rearwardly convergingwalls, a wedge adapted to be received between said walls and having oppositely converging sides, a block slidably received between each said side and the adjacent Wall, each block having its sides tapered to correspond generally to the taper of the associated side and wall, and means forming supporting connections between the wedge and the blocks. 4. VIn a combined latch and dovetail structure,

-a keeper plate adapted to be secured to a door Ill frame for engagement by the latch bolt of the door, a pair of rigid lateral extensions on opposite edges of said striker plate respectively, rigid dovetail bearing means mounted on said respective extensions, bodily movable relatively to each other and having outer bearing surfaces in divergent relation, and a pair of spaced, rigid dovetail bearing members adapted to be secured to the edge of the door on opposite sides of the latch bol-t thereof, the opposing faces of said bearing members diverging from each other and being adapted to cooperate with said dovetail bearing means to position the door with respect to the door frame during the final closing movement of the door and to retain the door in such position while it is closed.

5. In a combined latch and dovetail structure, a base plate, a latch keeper on one side of said base plate, rigid, lateral extensions on opposite edges of said base plate and said latch keeper,

rigid, converging, dovetail bearing elements on the ends of said extensions and bodily movable toward and away from each other, and means for adjustably securing said base plate to a door member, whereby the adjustment of such base plate correspondingly adjusts both said latch keeper and said dovetail bearing elements.

6. A combined latch and dovetail structure comprising a base plate, a tapered keeper member on one side of said base plate, rigid, lateral extensions formed on opposite edges of said base plate and said keeper member, and rigid bearing means on the ends of said extensions, movable both longitudinally of said base plate and keeper member and toward and away from each other, and having outer bearing surfaces arranged in converging relation.

7. A combined latch and dovetail structure comprising a keeper member, separate dovetail bearing means independently supported on op- DOsite edges of said keeper member respectively, and forming a dovetail Wedge element, one of said bearing means including a rigid bearing member bodily movable both longitudinally of said keeper member and toward and away from the other bearing means, and resilient means for resisting movement of said bearing member.

8. A combined latch and dovetail structure comprising a keeper plate adapted to be secured to a door frame for engagement by the latch bolt -of the door, a pair of oppositely arranged, rigid, lateral extensions on said keeper plate, rigid dovetail bearing means resiliently mounted on said extensions with their outer surfaces in divergent relation, and a pair of spaced, rigid, dovetail bearing members rigidly connected together and adapted to be secured to .the edge of a door on opposite sides of a latch bolt thereof, the opposing faces of said bearing members diverging from each other and being adapted to cooperate with said dovetail bearing means to position the door with respect to the door frame during the final closing movement of the door and to retain the door in such position while it is closed.

9. A combined latciriand dovetail structure comprising a keeper plate adapted to be secured to a door frame for cooperation with the latch bolt of the door, a pair of rigid, lateral extensions oppositely arranged on said keeper plate, rigid, dovetail bearing means on each of said extensions, at least one of said bearing means being movably mounted on its extension, resilient means for resisting movement of said movable bearing means in one direction, and a pair of spaced,

rigid, dovetail bearing members rigidly connected together and adapted to be secured to the edge of the door on opposite sides of the latch bolt thereof, the opposing faces of said bearing members diverging from each other and being adapted to cooperate with both of said dovetail bearing means.

10. A combined latch and dovetail structure comprising a keeper plate adapted to be secured to a door frame for cooperation with the latch bolt of the door, a pair of rigid, lateral extensions oppositely arranged on said keeper plate, rigid, dovetail bearing means on one of said extensions and having an inclined bearing surface thereon, the other extension having a recess therein, a dovetail bearing element bodily movable in said recess and projecting outwardly therefrom, resilient means urging the movable bearing element toward the limit of its movement in one direction, and a pair of spaced, rigid, dovetail bearing members adapted to be secured to the edge of the door on opposite sides of the latch bolt thereof, the opposing faces of said bearing members diverging from each other and being adapted to cooperate with both of said dovetail bearing members.

ll. A combined latch and dovetail structure comprising a base plate adapted to be secured to a door member with one side in abutting relation thereto, a keeper member on the opposite side of said base plate, a pair of bearing members mounted on opposite edges of said base plate for limited slidingmovement thereon longitudinally of said base plate and toward and away from each other and having converging bearing surfaces, and resilient means resisting sliding movement of said bearing members in one direction.

l2. A combined latch and dovetail structure comprising a tapered keeper member, .means for securing said keeper member to a door member, rigid extensions laterally arranged on opposite edges of said keeper member, rigid, dovetail bearing means on theend of one of said extensions, the other extension having a recess therein, a rigid, dovetail bearing member slidably mounted in said recess for limited movement transversely of said last-mentioned extension and having a bearing surface outside of said recess, and spring means for resisting sliding movement of said bearing member in one direction.

13. A combined latch and dovetail structure comprising a tapered keeper member adapted to be secured to a door member, bearing means formed`on one edge of said keeper member, a bearing member slidably mounted on the opposite edge of said keeper member for movement lengthwise of said keeper member, and resilient means for resisting sliding movement of said bearing member in one direction.

14. A combined latch and dovetail structure comprising a keeper plate adapted to be secured to a door frame for co-operation with the latch bolt of a door, and having inclined, dovetail bearing means on one edgethereof, the opposite edge of said keeper plate having an inclined bearing surface, a dovetail bearing block having one edge slidably mounted on said bearing surface, resilient means for opposing sliding movementofsaidbearing block in one direction, and a pair of spaced dovetail bearing members adapted to be secured to the edge of the door on opposite Sides of the latch bolt thereof, and having opposing faces arranged in divergent relation and adapted to cooperate with said dovetail bearing means and said dovetail bearing block.

15 In a combined latch and dovetail wedge member, a keeper plate comprising a plurality of i tapered catch members, dovetail bearing means on one edge of said keeper plate, a plurality of spaced supports on the opposite edge of said keeper plate, a dovetail bearing block slidably mounted on said supports, and spring means interposed between said block and one of said supports for resisting sliding movement of said block in one direction.

16. A combined latch and dovetail structure comprising a keeper plate adapted to be secured to a door frame for cooperation with the latch bolt of the door, a pair of rigid bearing members supported on said keeper plate and having d1- verging bearing surfaces thereon, a pair of spaced, 

